"Better go back to the old system, than modify the new," said
Lord Marney.

"I wish the people would take to it a little more," said Sir
Vavasour; "they certainly do not like it in our parish."

"The people are very contented here, eh Slimsey?" said Lord
Marney.

"Very," said the vicar.

Hereupon a conversation took place, principally sustained by
the earl and the baronet, which developed all the resources of
the great parochial mind. Dietaries, bastardy, gaol
regulations, game laws, were amply discussed; and Lord Marney
wound up with a declaration of the means by which the country
might be saved, and which seemed principally to consist of
high prices and low church.

"If the sovereign could only know her best friends," said Sir
Vavasour, with a sigh.

Lord Marney seemed to get uneasy.

"And avoid the fatal mistakes of her predecessor," continued
the baronet.

"Charles, another glass of claret," said the earl.